Limerick FC have announced that captain Shane Duggan has signed a new deal to remain with the club for the 2018 campaign. The 28 year-old captain will enter his fifth season with the club having returned from Cork City in 2013. Duggan has captained Limerick in every season since his return.
Shane captained the Shannonsiders to the first division title in 2016 as the team bounced back to the premier division at the first time of asking. St. Patricks Athletic and Cork City attempted to sign the midfielder before the 2016 season but the Limerick native signed a two year deal at the Markets Field to help the club win the league.
Limerick FC manager Neil McDonald is delighted that Duggan has committed his future to the club. Speaking to the club’s official website, McDonald said:
“I’m delighted that Shane has committed to the football club. He is our captain and he is an integral part of what we are trying to build.”
Furthermore, the manager expects Duggan to be a leading figure in the squad for next season with many young players present.
“We have a younger and more athletic group of players now, and I want Duggy to be dynamic in that and lead the team to the place we aspire to be. He is very important for us and we want to see him drive the players on. I am chuffed that he has signed a new contract and committed to Limerick.”
The news of the re-signing is a timely boost for Limerick as Duggan’s fellow midfielder Bastien Hery signed for Waterford United yesterday which was certainly a blow for the Super Blues. Duggan joins senior players Brendan Clarke, Freddy Hall, Tony Whitehead, Barry Cotter, Cian Coleman, Danny Morrissey, Shane Tracy and Chiedozie Ogbene in being under contract with the Markets Field outfit next season. Limerick will be looking to add more players quickly to strengthen the side for what will be an ultra-competitive premier division next season.